Andrew Cuomo on Environment

Democratic Governor

Training program to support green energy development

Let's be the international capital for clean and green energy products. We have already attracted some of the largest solar manufacturers, research and development firms on the planet to New York. I now propose a $15 million Clean Energy Opportunity
Training Program so SUNY and our community colleges can train the workers with solar technology and installation. And I propose installing solar in over 150,000 homes and businesses and converting SUNY facilities to renewable energy by the year 2020.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to New York legislature
, Jan 13, 2016

$172M for Environmental Protection Fund

Proposal #15: Increase the Environmental Protection Fund to $172 million: In the 2015-16 Executive Budget, the Governor proposes to raise the Environmental Protection Fund to $172 million dollars, an increase of 28 percent since he took office.
The $10 million increase will support increases in fourteen categories, including land conservation, stewardship, and invasive species control and prevention. The increase includes a new sub-allocation for capacity grants to State Parks friends' groups.

Source: State of the State address to 2015 New York Legislature
, Jan 21, 2015

Commit to a greener future for our children & grandchildren

New York State boasts some of the most magnificent natural resources, vistas, lakes, rivers and landscapes. The Adirondack Park is a world-class tourism destination for recreational opportunities with breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife.
The Finger Lakes host pristine waters and expansive rolling hills with charming wineries. Long Island boasts stunning beaches and Western New York, majestic waterfalls.
It is vital that we commit to a greener future to preserve these natural beauties for our children and grandchildren.

Water policy to protect environment and business interests

The preservation and protection of New York's water resources is vital to the state's residents, farmers and businesses. This law will enhance the state's ability to manage its water to promote economic growth and address droughts while protecting the
environment. My administration worked with a broad array of interests to ensure a balanced program that manages significant water withdrawals across the state and protects New York's farmers and businesses from undue regulatory burdens.

Greater focus on environmental justice

Ensure that, as the State's fiscal position improves, the Environmental Protection Fund ("EPF")--a dedicated fund to protect the environment and enhance our communities--will again be used only for the purpose for which it was created;

Order greater focus on environmental justice to identify adverse human health effects on racial and ethnic minority and low-income populations and to develop strategies to eliminate practices, which have a disproportionate impact on such groups.

Make a U-turn on development highway, towards sustainability

Sprawling land development is consuming the American countryside at a rate of almost 365 acres per hour. Traffic and pollution combine with this loss of pristine landscapes to undermine our quality of life, our productivity, and our public health.
Democrats understand that it is time to make a U-turn on the development highway and focus once again on developing our cities and our existing suburbs with more sustainable long-term approach.
That means restoring our abandoned industrial sites to productive uses, encouraging inner-city development rather than
subsidizing sprawl, and developing balancing development with preservation.